Oceania (Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific) - 7 hr layover at AKL

I am on my way to perth later this month (LAX-AKL-PER) and have a 715 arrival and 2pm departure. I am wondering if any one can suggest ideas for the layover. I am not sure 6 hrs in the *G lounge is what I want to do.
Any good walking areas? How far to downtown AKL...

Thanks.

I am on my way to perth later this month (LAX-AKL-PER) and have a 715 arrival and 2pm departure.


Weekday or weekend? Will make a big difference on traffic (at least for the arrival).


Any good walking areas?


Well, I would normally recommend walking up Rangitoto Island (it's a 35-40min active walk) with its fantastic views of the city, but the ferry times from downtown Auckland aren't in your favour. See here (http://www.fullers.co.nz/destinations-tours/rangitoto-island.php) and here (http://www.fullers.co.nz/tickets-fares/timetables/rangitoto-island.php) for more info.

What time of the year are you traveling? If it's in Oct, downtown Auckland should still be full of Rugby World Cup features, especially around the Viaduct (a 5min walk from where the Airbus drops you off: the Ferry Terminal in downtown Auckland).

For reference, 'CBD' and 'Downtown' and 'Waterfront' are all the same area for Auckland city. The waterline has an iconic old Ferry Terminal (what I call the dead centre of Auckland downtown), and just opposite it is the main transport hub (called Britomart), and continuing to walk north leads you to Queen St, which is the main / high street for the area.

From downtown Auckland you can walk/see:
- Parnell (nice high street / shopping area)
- Viaduct
- Domain / Auckland Museum (also called the
Auckland War Memorial Museum (http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/) -- but don't let the name fool you, its focus is not war)
- K-road (Karangahape Road), about 10mins walk north of downtown (walk up Queen St until you reach the end). The area has boutique elements to it,

A bit further out - either bus or taxi - there is (listed in what I would give as my preference):
- Mount Eden (great views of the city, about 15min taxi from downtown and close to the home of Eden Park)
- Mission Bay (a beach with restaurants etc popular with locals. There's a fantastic fish and chip shop on the eastern end of the main road).
- Devonport (colonial feeling suburb with Diamond Head for nice views- get there by ferry from downtown AKL)

The better touristy spots in Auckland are normally away from the city centre (e.g. nice beaches, islands, markets, ...). In downtown Auckland I would suggest taking in the local food somewhere around the waterfront / viaduct region, and maybe a trip up the Skytower for a fantastic view (it's about a 10-15min walk from the waterfront - not far physically but uphill so a bit slower to get to).

Or if you're keen, do what locals do and go to a supermarket (there's a Countdown/Foodtown in Britomart/Beach Rd, about 5mins walk east from downtown ferry terminal) buy yourself some picnic goods and walk 15-20mins up to the Auckland Domain for a nice lunch in the sun (weather dependent!) then on to the Auckland War Memorial Museum for a quick dash of NZ history.


How far to downtown AKL...


40mins taxi, 50-60mins by bus / airbus.

The Domain museum has one of the greatest Polynesian collections in the world, a much neglected area of study, and well worth visiting.

Thank you for your cogent reply, travisc.